Title
Ordinance in the Amount of $200,000 Amending State, Federal and Other Grants Fund Budget for a Federal Forfeiture Grant For Greensboro Police Department
Body
Department: Police
Council District: All
Public Hearing: NA
Advertising Date/By: NA
Contact 1 and Phone: Chief Wayne Scott, 373-2085
Contact 2 and Phone: Stephanie Moore, 373-2352
PURPOSE:
The Greensboro Police Department has received funds from the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program in the amount of $200,000, pursuant to Title 21, United States Code, Section 881 (e). The department wishes to use the grant funds for equipment needs, such as ballistic vests, which are not included in their general fund budget. Approval of the budget ordinance is requested from the Greensboro City Council in accordance with current city fiscal procedures.
BACKGROUND:
Title 21, United States Code, Section 881 (e) allows local law enforcement agencies to share in the proceeds from the sale of seized assets and cash from certain criminal investigations. The Police Department has received proceeds from the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program based upon the Police Department’s involvement in the originating investigations and/or arrests which generate the seizures. The sharing is based upon the Attorney General’s discretion and is limited by statute. Local law enforcement agencies do not have a statutory right to receive the property or proceeds and the funds cannot be used to supplant the agency’s budget. The funds must be spent solely on law enforcement purposes by the law enforcement agency. Sharing will be withheld from any agency where federal equitable sharing funds are transferred to non-law enforcement agencies or expended for non-law enforcement purposes.
The Police Department wishes to use these funds for equipment needs that are not included in their general fund budget.
BUDGET IMPACT:
The Greensboro Police Department has identified Federal Forfeiture Funds for the equipment and there is no adverse budgetary impact. The funds will be housed in account 220-3552-01.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
It is requested that the Greensboro City Council adopt the attached budget ordinance establishing funding in the amount of $200,000 from the Department of Justice Equitable Sharing Program proceeds for use by the Greensboro Police Department.